It all happened 3 years ago after the engagement party
I fell ill after merging with Eric, the missing half he posessed came back to this vessel and our very souls became one.
"Master, what do you mean by I'm ready."
"The curse of a Chromata, you're finally ready to bear it all."
"The curse of a Chromata."
"Origin, the very essence of Chronos power, enough talk I'll demonstrate watch and learn whelp."
The world shifts as golden lights emerge from Master's body.
I heard and saw clogs briefly before they stopped
The flow of time stopped and that's when I laid my eyes on Master completely encased in black and gold , he possessed dragonlike features with the horns , the scales and the tail.
He looks at me his blue eyes now gleamed in gold
"Look youngun, the essence of our world is in our hands we cursed by Chronos have the power to not only bend the flow of time but to also bend the very essence of this world it's clockwork is ours to control."
"You don't even look human anymore master... Will I end up like this as well."
"I gave you my flesh and blood for a reason boy, remember our meeting and your answer."
"I swore I'll eat but in the end I will get eaten if I follow that path."
"What changed you boy."
"...."
"The rich lass done got you soft."
"No she didn't." I said in denial
"I'm glad, you didn't turn out like him."
"You mean? ."
"I saw it and lived through it everyday, the day I killed my student haunts me in ways I couldn't imagine. Who would have thunk that this old man's stone heart cried for a whelp like you hah." He says deriding himself
"Master."
"Don't end up like him Eric, kill to protect never for something as petty as revenge." Master pleads
"You old coot really care about me haha.
I promise , I won't be lead astray."
"Enough sap for today sodding whelp , give me a 1000 swings!."
-present day-
And with this we conclude our report."
"It was Eric who saved our hides from a potential ambush, all praises are due to him and him alone."
"You do me too much credit Loewe, if it wasn't for you guiding us I wouldn't be of much help."
"This is my servant Loewe pay him no mind, his humility is what makes him cute I suppose."
"M-mistress."
"Haha, I see I was right in bringing you three in." Russel's eyes gleam in my direction
"So I take that you are satisfied with the end results?." Asks Aida
"You're insinuating?."
"I know why you recruited Eric, it was a test of all things that would hamper the student council I could think of none that would stand in your way especially with Soul Reaper in your possession."
Russel smile grew at the mention of his weapon opting to leave Aida in her own machination.
In the game Russel has always been a cold calculative strategist. He used the wryms rampage to assuage our combat prowess just like in the game with Joshua being his main interest.
There's one thing I'm interested in and that's his Soul Reaper , the only weapon capable fighting Origin our essence as Chromata.
One could say he's my natural enemy, my blood drives me to him and my desire to fight him grows with every encounter.
"Mistress, I take that Sir Russel won't divulge any further. Shall we assume we passed?." I turn to Russel
"There were no tests to begin with Eric however you're free to believe in what you want."
Sparks fly in the room unbeknownst to those present save for myself and Russel.
"Duly noted." I reply
"What now, will you let me off now that I played the errand boy?."
"You're free to leave Killian, however should you get caught again the consequences of your future will be repaid harshly." Warns Russel
"Yes yes , consequences I know, I'll see you guys later and Eric... thanks."
"Well now that matters are resolved, let's pack home curfew is upon us after all and I hope you all have a pleasant weekend." Russel calls off the meeting and proceeds to the door turning his back before turning his back and glancing my way.
- the next morning.-
-Weekend-
The weekend rolls yet again in the ever so eventful Academy.
Students spend their days off to rejuvenate and recuperate some choose to busy themselves in club activities while others choose to alleviate the stress of school life.
As for our group. Aida had suggested an outing for the two of us or at least that was what she suggested I'm sure she's happy with Prince Joshua aboard.
The streets of Edinburgh isn't so different from the ones on Earth, cars powered by magic crystals or crystals for short fill the streets, travelling Vendors selling wares in carts on the sidewalks, television or magivision atop the high rise buildings run ads consecutively and slew of people on about their daily lives
"I forgot how advanced Edinburgh is outside our estate haha." Said Misty
"Misty , why did you come?." Asked Aida irritated
"It looks like you don't want me here Aida, are you planning to keep Eric all to yourself hmmm."
"It's not like that Misty, stop assuming things."
Aida face turns red at Misty's remark.
"Sorry for inviting ourselves Misty has been really lonely lately." Prince Joshua chimes in
"What don't you dare Joshua!."
"Ms.Misty needs her bestfrriemd, I tried my best to keep her company but I'm not you Mistress Aida." Alice adds her piece
"*tch* why do I have to tag along." Gil speaks out in annoyance
"Haha, come on Gil. What's up with this group of dishonest aristocrats."Killian jests
"Speaking of dishonesty I believe you owe us an essay on your little stunt last week." Russel appears behind Killian
"W-who invited You?." Killian stutters
"I invited him, I thought it would be just like old times with all of us together plus Alice and Eric." Joshua answers
Thus we embarked on our outing.
"This coat fits you so well Alice." Aida remarks
"I get what you mean Alice looks cute in fur."
"Misty, you're too close."
"What do you think Eric, doesn't Alice look cute." A sinister glint in Misty's eyes as she asks this question.
"I think she's adorable." Honesty is a virtue
"Mr.-Eric, no please do not lie for my sake." Alice blushed
Aida takes a dress from a near
What do you think Eric?."
Aida dressed in a black frilly dress , along with knee socks and black heels brought a familiar feeling to my very soul
"You look exactly like Rachel from Blazblue!, quick tell me you have an umbrella."
"Huh, Blazblue?, I asked you if I looked cute."
"*ahem* I mean the dress suits Mistress Aida."
"You really think so?."
"I won't lie to you."
"Things are getting hot in here, you two get a room." Said Misty
"Aida,your face is red." Said Joshua
"What's up with you this morning blegh." Said Killian jesting
"The ladies seem to be enjoying their dressups, how about us gentlemen have our fun?."
"What do you have in mind?." I ask
"A little competition."
The arcade
Russel guides us to another section in the mall, arcade machines powered by magic crystals litter the section. I look in awe as my eyes caught the wide variety of games from shooting to fighting to racing. However the game Russel chooses tended to be rather physical.
The first being air hockey
"So , how about a little match between the five of us."
Gil smile reaches both ears , grabbing my shoulder he calls out to me.
"Wouldn't you rather be against Joshua." I ask
Gil shakes his head
"I see Russel, you sly demon. I will pick Eric before you claim him."
"That leaves me , Killian and Joshua."
"Leave me out of it, I rather be a spectator." Says Killian
"Shame, I guess it's Joshua and I."
Joshua takes a mallet while looking at Russel.
"I always wanted to see how far I'd go against you Russel." Joshua says as fire lit in his eyes
"Oh, oh I'll be the spectator and judge umm let's see. Magic is allowed and so are skills, playing dirty is definitely encouraged and last but not least fatal strikes will automatically disqualify you guys."
The arcade room turned fiery as the four of us compete in
"Ready!"
"Go!."
"Take this."
Gil shoots his first shot meanwhile he casts a miniature spell
Localized earthquake erupts from underneath my feet dropping me to my behind
"That's cheating Gil."
"Haha, play dirty commoner."
If that's how he wants to play it.
I know I can't, but I can't let him get away with what he's done.
-Chromata skill-
Future vision
Gil takes a shot firing off a spell beforehand
"The miniature pebbles are coming for my eyes."
I say to no one , as I dodge to the right and move my hand backwards to stop the puck.
With a slight angle shift , I manage to score leaving Gil astonished
"You used your powers, didn't you."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"I'll exhaust you eventually!."
Gil starts firing off spells consecutively
One shifting the floor height affecting the table , another shockwave and boulders whenever I strike
I score pass each attempt using future vision
The bout continues with my overwhelming victory.
Gil looking crushed by defeat concedes
"Your skills are irritating!."
"I'm afraid We're out of ... time." I smirk
I look at the neighboring table and I find another irregular spectacle.
Joshua in a tight spot
Pushed to the edge by Russel
Whatever Joshua puts up is countered by Russel
The soul reaper
A weapon embedded into Russell's very soul, it has the power amplify skills/magic.
Albeit with a heavy price
The users life energy or rather part of their soul
Being a wielder of the Sword Reaper grants you a finite amount of MP, the pool is about 1000 times greater than a normal human however as long as the Soul Reaper is summoned the users lost MP will never be replenished.
Many men wielded that weapon and have gone mad , the craze or rather the want for greatness or a desire to be worshipped have gotten the best of them.
"This is it Joshua."
"I lost."
He admits reluctantly
"So this leaves us two,
Eric. Would you do the honor?."
"I'm honored that you regard me highly." I take the mallet in my hand and move forward
"The fighting spirit between those two is amazing, I never seen Eric this excited. It somehow makes me feel lonely." Said Joshua speculating
"Eric didn't even think of us as worthy then, I'll train and find a way against his annoying skill."
"Gil, you're such a spoiler. " said Killian in disinterest
"You got a lot of fans Eric,
You're friends with Aida who absolutely despised commoners at some point, Gil who's also the same, Joshua the Prince of this Kingdom , Killian the local Jester and Misty well in your defense she'd befriend anyone haha."
"What are you getting at Russel, are we starting or are we here to talk."
"I'm just curious about you and I'm about to find out why."
""Ready!."
"Go!."
Killian gives the headstart, I whack the puddles with all my might along with activating my Chromata skills -acceleration-
This should have secured a goal or at least that's what anyone else would have thought.
Instead Russel countered the attack.
Soul Reaper has been activated , making him the pinnacle of impregnability
Each strike I hit , gets countered my acceleration Chromata skill has been made utterly ineffective
"Is this the best you're capable of?."
Russel asks provocatively edging me
"No, my best has yet to come."
I don't take the bait or so I thought
Chromata skill : Future vision
"I see the same skill you used against Gil."
"Perceptive eyes Mr.President."
I see his movements clearly but my body fails to react , I accelerate forward and use one of the many skills I learned
Skill : Infinity sword
Chromata skill : reverse
I use reverse on my body and accelerate , the reverse made sure my body returns back to my previous position in case I miss a trajectory and infinity sword creates duplicates for the puck using alternate dimensions.
"This is overwhelming , but."
Limit release - Soul Reaper
The ground shakes uncontrollably as Russel unleashes part of the Sword power, our battle have become more intense now it is no longer a game of air hockey.
"Are we sure this is a game anymore?." Asks Killian
"I never seen Eric be this intense "
"Neither Russel, those two frustrate me."
Especially that commoner he's been holding back for damned too long." Said Gil face frowned
"Cchromata and Soul Reaper, I admit I'm jealous they seem to be in a league of their own." Replies Joshua wistfully
"You scaled up I expect no less from a Sword Reaper wielder."
"You flatter me Eric, let's see who shall wi-."
"Oi, you two kids . What do you think you're doing to my store!, out with you!."
"S-sorry sir."
"Ah, I guess this is it ."
The room returns to normalcy as the store manager kicks the four of us out before offering us an outstanding bill for the damages we've caused.
My check will never see the comfort of my wallet for this month.
To be continued